Don't call it open land

Published: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 15, 2013 at 2:06 p.m.

Editor: I have spent many years of my life in southern Davidson County, both growing up in Denton then returning to retire at High Rock Lake 15 years ago. The peacefulness, the quiet and the beauty of the lake drew my husband and me back here.

To those who drive through this area, it looks as though open space abounds. And this is true — this area of the county has woods, fields, mountains and miles of land that is not occupied. For those who may travel on Shiptontown Road near the area of the proposed firing range, this is probably what they think — vast, open land. But if they look deeper, they will find many homes just off Shiptontown and surrounding the lake just a short distance away.

Though there is a lot of open land, this is not true of this area. Unknown to many, the Salvation Army Camp Walter Johnson is approximately 1 1/2 miles from the proposed location of the firing range — definitely within hearing range over the water. During the summer, over 1,500 children visit the camp. Their website states "for more than 100 years, The Salvation Army has recognized the restorative power of nature. Salvation Army camping frees youthful imaginations trapped in the concrete, noise, and pollution of our inner-cities. Imagine what a week at summer camp could do for an underprivileged or at-risk child. Or a troubled youth who's never known life away from the streets."

The camp is also used for meetings and spiritual retreats other times of the year — a place where people look to get away. I imagine the sound of gunshots in the distance doesn't provide the setting the camp describes nor what people expect.

During hunting season, many mornings I wake up to gunshots, but that doesn't bother me since I know they are not continuous, and the season does have a beginning and end. But I can only imagine what it would be like to hear this noise all day, seven days a week.

Open land: Yes, there is still plenty, but this area is not open land.

<p><B>Editor:</B> I have spent many years of my life in southern Davidson County, both growing up in Denton then returning to retire at High Rock Lake 15 years ago. The peacefulness, the quiet and the beauty of the lake drew my husband and me back here.</p><p>To those who drive through this area, it looks as though open space abounds. And this is true — this area of the county has woods, fields, mountains and miles of land that is not occupied. For those who may travel on Shiptontown Road near the area of the proposed firing range, this is probably what they think — vast, open land. But if they look deeper, they will find many homes just off Shiptontown and surrounding the lake just a short distance away.</p><p>Though there is a lot of open land, this is not true of this area. Unknown to many, the Salvation Army Camp Walter Johnson is approximately 1 1/2 miles from the proposed location of the firing range — definitely within hearing range over the water. During the summer, over 1,500 children visit the camp. Their website states "for more than 100 years, The Salvation Army has recognized the restorative power of nature. Salvation Army camping frees youthful imaginations trapped in the concrete, noise, and pollution of our inner-cities. Imagine what a week at summer camp could do for an underprivileged or at-risk child. Or a troubled youth who's never known life away from the streets."</p><p>The camp is also used for meetings and spiritual retreats other times of the year — a place where people look to get away. I imagine the sound of gunshots in the distance doesn't provide the setting the camp describes nor what people expect.</p><p>During hunting season, many mornings I wake up to gunshots, but that doesn't bother me since I know they are not continuous, and the season does have a beginning and end. But I can only imagine what it would be like to hear this noise all day, seven days a week.</p><p>Open land: Yes, there is still plenty, but this area is not open land.</p><p>Adalyn Nopanen</p><p>Denton</p>